Method and apparatus for playing a game

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for playing a game with a stock of substantially triangular playing pieces, each playing piece having at least two playing edges of equal length and bearing indicia associating each of the at least two edges with a group. The indicia may associate each playing edge with a group defined by a colour or tone, or with a group defined by a representation of an animal or defined in another way. Where the group is a colour or tone the indicia may take the form of bands of colour or tone running along a playing edge. The playing pieces may have each playing edge associated with a different group, or may have two or more playing edges associated with the same group. The object of the game is for teams to form polygons by laying playing pieces in the playing area according to the rules of the game. The playing pieces may be provided in the form of tiles or playing cards

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a game. More particularly it relates to a method and apparatus for playing a game with playing pieces bearing indicia.

[0002] A number of games have been proposed which comprise matching elements or indicia of one playing piece with another, notably dominoes. Similar games involve matching triangular playing tiles with like playing tiles, such as Tri-Ominos. Other games that involve matching like playing tiles with like playing tiles include those as disclosed in European patent application no. 0 481 017, Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application no. WO86/06974, U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,139 and British patent application no. 2 346 090. These games may demand strong numeracy of players and not be suitable for playing in groups, such as families, including very young children.

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide a game and method for playing suitable for groups of players across a wide age range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to a first embodiment of the invention the game is played with a stock of substantially triangular playing pieces, each playing piece having at least two playing edges of equal length and bearing indicia associating each of the at least two edges with a group. The playing pieces need not be planar however and by substantially triangular it is meant generally triangular in plan view. The indicia may associate each playing edge with a group defined by a colour or tone, or with a group defined by a representation of an animal or defined in another way. Where the group is a colour or tone the indicia may take the form of bands of colour or tone running along a playing edge. The playing pieces may have each playing edge associated with a different group, or may have two or more playing edges associated with the same group. Typically the stock will contain a mixture of playing pieces of each type.

[0005] The playing pieces may be provided in the form of tiles or playing cards or in other suitable form, although tiles are preferred as the pieces will generally be more durable. Alternatively the playing pieces may be provided in the form of triangular prisms. In this case segmented pots or holders, such as those used in the game Trivial Pursuit®, may be provided to support the playing pieces during play.

[0006] The playing pieces may be provided with rounded or smoothed off vertices to reduce the risk of injury to, particularly, young players.

[0007] The game is played by two or more teams of at least one player. Preferably the game is played by two to six such teams. A number of variations of the game may be played.

[0008] In its simplest form each team draws a predetermined number of playing pieces from the stock and pieces are played, by each team in turn, by laying them in a playing area according to the rules of the game. The object of the game is for teams to form polygons by laying playing pieces in the playing area according to the rules of the game. Throughout the specification, by polygons it is meant substantially polygonal shapes, which in this case additionally includes circles. The pieces are drawn randomly, preferably blindly, from the stock. Where indicia is provided on only one face of the playing pieces, this may be accomplished by turning all the playing pieces to lie marked face down on a surface and shuffling them. Where the playing pieces are cards, they may be shuffled as a deck of regular playing cards. Alternatively means such as a bag, sack, steep sided box or other suitable means is provided to contain and obscure the pieces during drawing.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the game are played with substantially equilateral triangular playing pieces. Where the playing pieces take this form, each playing piece may have three playing edges and bear indicia associating all three edges with a particular group. Again, each playing edge may be associated with a different group or two edges may be associated with the same group the other playing edge with a second group. The provision of three playing edges provides additional scope for playing individual pieces. Where the playing pieces are substantially equilateral triangular playing pieces, the teams attempt to form complete regular hexagons in laying their pieces. The substantially triangular playing pieces need not be equilateral triangles however, and by selecting the appropriate angle between two playing edges teams may compete to complete other substantially regular polygons such as squares, pentagons, heptagons, octagons or the like.

[0010] The game commences with a first playing piece being placed within a playing area, which may be any, generally flat or even, surface large enough to accommodate the game. The first piece may be placed as the first turn of one of the teams or it may be drawn from the stock and placed prior to the first turn of any team. In following turns each team attempts to lay a piece such that at least one playing edge associated with a group lies adjacent to a playing edge associated with the same group of another piece in the playing area, and oriented such that respective vertices formed by the playing edges of each piece also adjacent. In this way substantially polygonal shapes are built up from the pieces.

[0011] If a team is unable to match the playing edge of any of its pieces to another edge ‘in play’ in the playing area the team misses a turn. To complete a polygonal a team must lay a piece such that a playing edge associated with a group lies adjacent to a playing edge associated with the same group of the pieces on either side. The team placing the final piece in a polygon may like to exclaim at this point in the manner of players completing the objects of the well known games of Snap! or Bingo.

[0012] The team that completes the polygonal may remove it from the playing area. In some versions of the game a winner may be decided by the number of polygons a team has completed when no further turns can be taken, the team completing the greatest or the least number of polygons during the game being declared winner.

[0013] In some versions of the game the predetermined number of playing pieces drawn from the stock before the game is nil. In such cases each team will draw a playing piece immediately before its turn and attempt to play it. When a team draws a piece it cannot play it retains the piece for a subsequent turn.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment of the game, multiple polygons may be ‘in play’ at once with teams allowed to begin a further polygon instead of missing a turn when it is unable to match a playing edge of any of its playing pieces to another playing edge in the playing area. When play ends a winner may be determined by the same method as above.

[0015] In a further alternative embodiment of the game, the playing pieces may also bear secondary indicia associating each playing edge with a group. The secondary indicia allow the game to be scored in a way other than by merely recording the number of polygons completed during a game. The secondary indicia may associate each playing edge with a value defined by, most usefully, a number or defined by a representation of an animal or defined in another way. Where the group is defined by, for instance, a representation of an animal the animal may be accorded a numeric value for scoring purposes. During a game teams may score points according to values associated with the secondary indicia. For example, a team may be able to lay two pieces from its hand of playing pieces against a playing edge in the playing area and can choose to play the piece that will score the most points and/or limit the amount of points scorable by the next team to take a turn.

[0016] Playing pieces having indicia and secondary indicia on the same face allow some teams, typically comprised of adults or older children, to play a scoring version of the game simultaneously with other teams, typically comprised of younger children, playing the simplest version. In this manner an entire family may play together, each member of the family playing a version in which they are able to compete effectively and by which they are suitably challenged. Playing pieces may also be provided with indicia and secondary indicia on opposite faces. The indicia and secondary indicia provided on the obverse and reverse faces of the playing piece may differ such that playing edges may be associated with different groups, depending on which way up they are played.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a typical playing tile, and

[0019]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a hexagon as formed during play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] Referring to the figures of the drawings, the game comprises providing a plurality of planar, equilateral triangle shaped playing pieces 1. Each playing piece 1 has three playing edges 10 and bears indicia 2 in the form of three, coloured, isosceles triangles 3. Thus each playing edge 10 is associated with a group defined by a colour. Two or more playing edges of each playing piece may be associated with the same group.

[0021] It has been found that a useful stock of playing pieces may comprise seventy playing pieces bearing a mixture of six different colours wherein each playing piece will bear either two or three of those six colours.

[0022] The playing pieces 1 also bear secondary indicia 4 in the form of spots or circles. One, two or three circles are provided within each coloured isosceles triangle 3. Thus each playing edge 10 is additionally associated with a value, the value corresponding to the number of circles. These values, as explained hereinafter, may be used in some but not all versions of the game. The tiles additionally have rounded comers 5 to make them safer for small children playing the game.

[0023] The game is conducted in or on a suitable playing area. A generally even surface is suitable for games with tiles or cards. The object of the game is for players or teams of players to form polygons, in this case hexagons 6, from the individual playing pieces 1. Playing pieces 1 can only be placed in accordance with the rules of the game, which include that a team or player may only lay its tile adjacent to another playing tile already in play if the adjacent playing edges are associated with the same group. That is to say a playing piece bearing indicia designating, for instance, a ‘red’ playing edge, a ‘blue’ playing edge or a ‘pink’ playing edge may only be placed next to a playing piece having a free or unbounded playing edge designated as a ‘red’ playing edge, a ‘blue’ playing edge or a ‘pink’ playing edge. Often a team or player will have a number of pieces from which to choose a legal play and/or a number of free or unbounded playing edges in the playing area against which a playing piece may be placed. In some forms of the game the rules may further include that a piece can only be legally played if laid adjacent to a piece already in play so as to form a polygon. In such forms a player will generally have a choice of two free playing edges against which he or she may play a piece. Where the playing pieces are substantially equilateral triangular playing pieces a player may, on some turns, have a choice of three or four playing against which he or she may play a piece. The rules may further stipulate that a player has to play a piece so as to form a polygon, rather than begin a fresh polygon, if he or she is able.

[0024] To begin a game two or more players are divided into teams of at least one player. Teams take turns to draw randomly a predetermined number of playing pieces from the stock, which may be kept in a bag or sack, and attempt to lay their pieces in the playing area, turnwise according to whichever rules govern that variation of the game. Players who are not able to play a piece may have to miss a turn, or draw a further piece, or both.

[0025] A set of rules outlining different versions of the game may be included with sets of playing pieces. Typically, but not exclusively, the rules may read:

[0026] The Rules

[0027] Game 1 (Easy)—Construct as many six-tiled hexagons as possible, one at a time.

[0028] For this game each player takes six tiles from the bag and arranges these so that the faces are hidden from the other players.

[0029] Player 1 places one of his tiles face up in the middle of the playing area. Subsequent players then place one of their tiles alongside making sure it is positioned so that adjacent sides are of the same colour. Play continues with each player placing one tile in turn until six tiles have been placed forming a hexagon. Note that the sixth and final tile to make up the hexagon has to match the adjoining colours of both adjacent tiles.

[0030] If at any time a player is unable to place a tile (none of the colours on his tile match) he misses a go and takes a new tile out of the bag. If a player has used up all of his tiles and it is his turn he takes a tile from the bag and plays it if possible or if not holds on to it for a subsequent turn.

[0031] When a player is able to place a tile that completes a hexagon, he shouts out “Polygon!” and claims that hexagon as his own by removing it from the playing area. Play then continues with the next player placing a tile in the middle of the playing area and a new hexagon is constructed.

[0032] The winner is the player with the most hexagons when all the tiles in the bag have been used up.

[0033] Game 2 (Intermediate)—Construct as many six-tiled hexagons as possible, simultaneously.

[0034] Player 1 takes a tile from the bag and places it face-up in the middle of the playing area. Player 2 takes a tile and if possible places it alongside the first tile so that two adjacent colours match. If none of the colours match then this tile is placed elsewhere in the playing area and forms the starting point of a new hexagon. There is no limit to the number of hexagons that are in play at any one time.

[0035] When a player is able to place a tile that completes a hexagon, he shouts out “Polygon!” and claims that hexagon as his own by removing it from the playing area. Play then continues with the next player.

[0036] The winner is the player with the most hexagons after all the tiles in the bag have been used up.

[0037] Game 3 (Advanced)—Construct six-tiled hexagons, accumulating points along the way.

[0038] For this game pen and paper are required to keep note of people's scores and we recommend that one player is nominated the scorer.

[0039] Player 1 takes two tiles from the bag and places them face-up in the middle of the playing area with matching colours touching and scores the value of the adjoining dots. If no two colours match the tiles are still placed in the playing area but kept apart and scores 0.

[0040] Subsequent players take one tile and if possible place it alongside any tile in the playing area so that two colours match and scores the value of the dots on the adjoining colours. Note that when there is more than one option as to where a tile can be placed then it should be placed in such a way as to score the most points.

[0041] Play continues until a six-tiled hexagon has been formed. For this to happen the sides of the final tile have to match the colours of the adjoining sides of both adjacent tiles. The player who places the final tile of the hexagon shouts out “Polygon!” and scores all the points on both adjoining sides plus an additional 6-point bonus. The tiles making up this hexagon are then removed from the playing area. Play then continues with the next player taking a tile from the bag.

[0042] If at any time a player is unable to place his tile so as to construct a hexagon he place it elsewhere in the playing area and forms the starting point of a new hexagon. There is no limit to the number of hexagons in play at any one time.

[0043] The winner is the player with the highest score after all the tiles in the bag have been used up.

[0044] The above rules refer to ‘players’ and ‘tiles’ but, as mentioned heretofore, the game can also be played, for instance, by teams and with cards.

[0045] While the invention has been described with particular reference to the illustrated embodiment, numerous modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of substantially triangular playing pieces, each piece having at least two playing edges of equal length and bearing indicia associating each of the at least two edges with a group, b) dividing two or more players into two or more teams of at least one player, c) each team drawing randomly a predetermined number of playing pieces from a stock of playing pieces, d) teams taking turns to lay pieces within a playing area, e) in turns subsequent to the first turn, each team attempting to lay a piece such that at least one playing edge lies adjacent to a playing edge associated with the same group of another piece in the playing area.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least two playing edges of equal length is three playing edges of equal length.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing pieces are provided in the form of tiles.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the playing pieces are provided in the form of cards.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the playing pieces bear secondary indicia associating each of the at least two playing edges with a value.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least two playing edges of equal length is three playing edges of equal length.
 7. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the playing pieces are provided in the form of tiles.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the playing pieces are provided in the form of cards.
 9. A method according to the preceding claims wherein the playing pieces bear indicia associating each of the at least two edges with a group defined by a colour.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising awarding teams a score based on the values associated with playing edges of the playing pieces.
 11. A method as claimed in claims 1, 5 and 10 wherein the game is ended upon fulfilment of one of the conditions selected from the following: a) there are no more playing tiles that may be drawn from the stockpile, or b) one or both of the players or teams of players has no more playing tiles or playable playing tiles. 